On October 17, 2023, as part of the MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT EXHIBITION COMPLEX, a Conference on Reconstruction and Economic Development of Communities was held for members of the Mayors’ Club and businesses interested in joining

The President of the Mayors’ Club, Volodymyr Udovychenko, opened the event with a welcome address, highlighting strategic partnerships with American counterparts, decentralization, and the reconstruction of communities.

Oleksandr Mazurchak, First Vice President of the NGO “Mayors’ Club“, reminded participants about the free Expert Sessions available to club members twice a month, as well as the free anti-corruption course designed for community and administrative leaders.

Mr. Mazurchak also announced that the Mayors’ Club has opened a representative office in Italy, where it is represented by the NGO Hope Ukraine.

Oleh Yuriyovych Topikha – Representative of the Department for the Implementation of Priority Regional Development Projects and Critical Infrastructure at the Ministry of Infrastructure – spoke about the main budget programs overseen by the ministry, through which restoration is currently underway. A special emphasis was placed on explaining how the Liquidation of Consequences Fund operates, which currently includes 310 projects. Oleh Yuriyovych also talked about the Dream service, which was created to allow interested parties to directly add all information about projects. There was also a lively discussion and a series of questions and answers.

Yuliya Chufistova – Chairperson of the Expert Council of the Mayors’ Club and CEO of the Ukrainian Municipal Economic Development Agency (UMEDA) – emphasized that one of the most important goals of our organization is economic development, and it was precisely for this purpose that the concept of economic unions of communities was developed. So far, 13 economic unions have been signed, which are already actively working regularly, preparing projects, and planning events.

Henry Shterenberg – President of the company Economy of Trust and President of the World Trade Center Kyiv – emphasized the importance of the active role of businesses in building an alternative economic system. He also spoke about cooperation with international partners and the details of working on various projects.

Cristiana Munteanu, an Italian guest representing the public organization Hope Ukraine, which collaborates with the Mayors’ Club, greeted the participants and shared that their focus is on humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Three events are planned in Italy at the end of October, where mayors will present their own projects. The organization is open to any cooperation; for any inquiries, please contact Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Mazurchak.

At the conclusion of the event, Dmytro Teslya, President of the Ukrainian Water Association, spoke about the goals, active projects, and humanitarian aid. The association’s aim is to unite, using the example of one community, all technologies and businesses related to water in one place. Memorandums of cooperation were also signed between the Ukrainian Water Association, the Mayors’ Club, and the UMEDA Agency.

The meeting concluded with a lively discussion among all participants about the most common issues, including, of course, questions of funding. The key takeaway for the Mayors’ Club team was that the state can provide maximum support in the restoration of communal facilities, while matters of economic development and investment projects are the responsibility of local authorities.

The recording can be viewed at the following link.